William Kettner

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William "Bill" Kettner (November 20, 1864–November 11, 1930) is a former American Democratic politician from San Diego.

1 Biography
2 Quote
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Biography

Kettner was born 1864 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John F. and Frederika Kettner. His parents moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1873. His father died when he was 13, so he had to leave school to work, first as a bell boy then he drove a dray horse. He came to San Diego when he was 21, in the middle of an economic boom in the late 1880s and worked various odd jobs around the state.

In 1893 he married Ida B. Griffs in Visalia, California and went into the real estate and insurance business there. They divorced in 1904 and he married Marion Morgan in 1905, and they lived in Visalia.

In 1907 he moved to San Diego and set up an insurance business, and later became involved with real esate and banking. He was active and popular member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and served as its Director.

Kettner was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1912. Because of his popularity with the Chamber of Commerce, he was supported by Republicans, including the conservative San Diego Union, and Democrats. Republicans used the slogan "Why not Kettner?"

During his term, 1913–1921, he spent much effort bringing Naval bases to San Diego. He won friends easily with his warm personality and addressed colleagues as "brother", earning him the nickname of "Brother Bill" in San Diego and Washington. His first accomplishment was a federal appropriation to dredge San Diego Bay so large ships can enter. He faced much opposition from the government, including Admiral George Dewey. However, he became friends with Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy]]. Roosevelt visited San Diego during the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and came away impressed with the area. Roosevelt helped Kettner's efforts to establish bases as Naval secretary and latter as president. By the time he retired from Congress in 1920, he secured many Naval bases, including what is now Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the Broadway Naval Supply Depot, the 32nd Street Naval Station, and North Island Naval Air Station. The military later became for a time the largest employer in San Diego County. Kettner was nicknamed the "Million Dollar Congressman" for his ability to gain Naval bases in San Diego. Kettner stepped down as congressman due to poor health and a financial downturn with his insurance business.

Kettner died in San Diego in 1930 and is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery, beside his mother, who died in 1912. In 1914 the fireboat Bill Kettner, in use until 1961, was named in his honor. In 1921, Kettner Boulevard was renamed to honor him.

[edit] Quote

I firmly believe that most people have a longing to do something for their fellowman, in order that it may be said when they have passed on that their lives have not been spent in vain.

– William Kettner, Why it was Done, p. 183

[edit] References

Kettner, William (1923). Why It Was Done and How. . Compiled by Mary B. Steyle. Kettner's Congressional autobiography, with his portrait.
Black, Samuel T. (1913). San Diego County California. The S. J. Clark Publishing Company, Chicago. , v. 2, pp. 104-105: "William Kettner"
Heilbron, Carl (1936). History of San Diego County. San Diego Press Club. Biography, pp. 106-108